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LITR 4231 Early American Literature |
Final Exam Essays 2014 Sample answers
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Cohen P. Landry
4 May 2014
Bridging The Gap: Collective Ideas and Creations
One of the most exhilarating aspects and exciting moments of study this semester
was the emergence of the Enlightenment period and how the many concepts derived
from the regression of the second great awakening and the Renaissance. The
Enlightenment period was the beginning of a foundation of society, and was
structured and operated to instill new ideas, thoughts, expression and
influence. The evolution of Art, literature, politics, and the individual psyche
are all an embodiment of this particular period. The developments of our modern
social systems and scientific discoveries are more relevant now as they were
then. In my opinion, this period truly epitomizes innovation and progress.
Through Scientific advances, developments of social institutions, and
alternative ways of thinking, the Enlightenment period is more prevalent and
matters today more than the renaissance or romantic periods. Although most of
these thoughts and ideas were formulated over several centuries, the timing of
when these ideas started to evolve was impeccable, transforming the western
civilization forever.
While reading different authors’ work during this period, what I discovered was
a shared thought between them. An unexplainable connection that associated all
of their ideas and visions. These shared ideas and concepts, I believe, were an
effect from the less emphasized movements of religious freedoms and expressions.
During the 1700’s, an overwhelming development of new religions and spiritual
movements, caused countless denouncements and skepticism. During the time of
skepticism, people became conscious of a need for change or something “new”
During the mid-to-late 1700’s. The diffusion of the Catholic Church caused the
creation of many new denominations, creating a whirlwind of individual and
independent influences on religious doctrine, diversifying the unity of the
Christian belief system. What emerged was the repressed anxieties, frustrations,
and doubts formulated in a thought process or religion that was more “natural”
(White). Contrary to religious revivals such as the first and second great
awakening, the ideas formulated during the “Age of Reason” were developed from a
different concept of beliefs known as “Deism” (White).
Most of America’s precious and respected doctrine, comes from individuals who
expressed an informal view about God and the principles of man. Thomas
Jefferson’s writing on religion expresses this idea. While stating the concept
of religious freedom he argues that “No man shall be compelled to frequent or
support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be
enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in his body or goods…”( Jefferson).
He continues to incorporate political views and dialogue in relation to
religious beliefs, “all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to
maintain, their opinions in matters of religion…” (Jefferson). Jefferson’s words
are only a few that represent these principles of society. A collection of
individuals, shared this same concept. America’s “Founding Fathers” not just
expressed these ideals, but believed that they could change and create a new
world represented by the new intellectual persons of the future. In the
Declaration of Independence these ideals are applied to the people to, “assume
among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws
of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them”
The transformation from one idea to the next is what intrigues me about this
period. The imagination and risk that it took to challenge a millennia of ideas
and doctrine, had to be one of the most daunting challenges faced by so few of
people. More specifically, the progress continued to flourish leading to
scientific discoveries that were mind blowing. Advancements in astronomy,
biology, and technology, benefited human life to a degree that was unmeasurable,
and still continues today. That foundation of discoveries, initiated a way of
thinking that was once inappropriate according to social conventions, were then
becoming accepted as a common thought for progression and evolution. In Adam
Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations” he proposes ideas that will change the way
America operates, suggesting a capitalistic economy. He speaks of individuals
and his/her pursuit of progress, “As every individual, therefore, endeavors as
much as he can both to employ his capital in the support of domestic industry,
and so to direct that industry that its produce may be of the greatest value”
(Adams). His ideas revolutionized the way business was done. This effected
ownership, taxations, and individual freedoms then and they are still practiced
today. Although some historical context was not considered creative literature,
it would have been a great experience to study some of Isaac Newton’s, John
Locke’s, and other scientist and philosophers’ discoveries during the
enlightenment period.
Most interestingly, religion shifted to the underprivileged, creating a unity
among slaves, immigrants and slave owners. This period of enlightenment, in
addition to religious mission efforts, brought a new concept to natives. A
concept never known to them before that altered their lives substantially. With
an emphasis on “literacy” the new slave or Indian was created, providing them
not just with the opportunity to converse, but to also be influenced and
controlled. Alternatively, when the
regression of religion helped centralize the Enlightenment movement, the
progression of “Deism” and establishing new “radical thinkers” constitutional
governments and scientific innovations, the savages and barbarians mystically
grew brains and learned the ability not to think like “apes” and “barbarians”
What was beneficial was to see a woman’s point of view in a patriarchal society.
Poems, letters and novels gave a different perspective on literature and
historical context. Artist like Phillis Wheatly, Abigal Adams, and Susana
Rowson, expressed their struggles with domestic roles of woman. In Rowson’s
novel “Charlotte Temple,” she incorporates the woman’s point of view discussing
romance, seduction, love, trust and companionship. Similar to Abigal Adams’s
letters, she points out some frustrations to women subjectivities and the
challenges they face when they don’t conform to their conventional roles.
Portrayed as the ideal parents, Charlotte’s parents are presented to be
an example of a domestic marriage and proper parenting “the whole tenderness of
a mother adding animation to her fine countenance; but it was withal tempered so
sweetly with the meek affection and submissive duty of the wife” (Rowson 8.4).
She further describes the meaning of “content” and what it means in relation to
domestic purity and happiness, “Look, my dear friends, at yonder lovely Virgin,
arrayed in a white robe devoid of ornament…” she continues, “behold the meekness
of her countenance, the modesty of her gait; her handmaids are Humility, Filial
Piety, Conjugal Affection, Industry, and Benevolence” (Rowson 6.11). Rowson’s
aim in her novel challenges the idea of woman inferiority, aligning with the
idea of the entire 1700’s of progression and change.
The enlightenment period provides a great mirror to America’s beginnings, in
politics, science, and alternative religious thoughts, but also declining of
older philosophies and ideas. The 1700’s century has to account for one of the
most rapid changing periods of our time. With a shift in all elements of social
life, this period is well respected, and appreciated, but also heavily
criticized for the influence it had on people’s perception and practice.
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